I cut my side extensions too short, so had to shorten the hem by 1" inch in order to make everything even. The front looks better in the photo than in real life.

I sewed this out of a sheet, using a pattern I drafted. The pattern still needs a little refining, but I'm willing to use it on "real" fabric. I'll get a zipper for the side, though. I didn't want to buy a zipper for a muslin and the store was out of hooks and eyes. I started to use buttons, but the button holes didn't look secure, so I sewed in snaps instead. I can't figure out if my problems with button holes are primarily operator error or caused by my old machine.

I added one-inch extensions to each side seam on the opened side. I figured that way, not only would that give me more fabric to work with on the closure, but if I messed up, those small pieces would be easy to replace.

For ease of dressing, I opened the side seam an inch past the underarm seam. I sew in my sleeve caps first, then sew the side seams, so theoretically, I could have the side open from hem to cuff. I don't know how having a button under the arm would work, but with the snaps, it doesn't seem to be a problem, although I only finished this last night, so who knows what will happen during a day's wear.

The body of this pattern is in my perfect spot of fitted, but still loose. Even though I like the look of this side closure, it's a little too inconvenient to get the shirt off for me to prefer that method. I need to learn to make a classy front-opening closure without button-holes.

As much as people rail against non-functioning button holes, I do like the extra interest these add.

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About Me

Hi! I live in Virginia. My mom taught me to sew. I think I started at 4 or 5 by sewing buttons onto a handkerchief, but don't trust my memory. That was a long time ago. As a teenager, I was more interested in completing projects than learning good sewing techniques. Now, I am teaching myself some things I missed. My sewing interests are in learning to make alterations to and draft patterns to fit my petite 4'11" tall, 32" chest, 45" hip body.